National Institute on Aging Questions to Ask
Lack of exercise. Inactivity or
AgePage
Concerned About
Constipation?
Nearly everyone becomes constipated
at one time or another. Older people
are more likely than younger people to
become constipated, but most of the
time it’s not serious.
Constipation is a symptom, not a
disease. You may be constipated if you
are having fewer bowel movements than
usual, it takes a long time to pass stools,
and the stools are hard.
Some people worry too much about
having a bowel movement every day.
There is no right number of daily or
weekly bowel movements. Being regular
is different for each
person. For some,
it can mean bowel
movements twice
a day. For others,
having movements
three times a week
is normal.
People who live
Some doctors suggest asking these
questions to decide if you are constipated:
F Do you often have fewer than three
bowel movements a week?
F Do you usually have a difficult time
passing stools?
F Are stools often lumpy or hard?
F Do you have a feeling of being
blocked or of not having fully
emptied your bowels?
Did you answer “yes” to one or more
of these questions? If so, you may have
a constipation problem. Otherwise, you
probably don’t.
What Causes Constipation?
F Using too many laxatives and
Doctors do not always know what
causes constipation. It may be a poor
diet, not getting enough exercise, or
using laxatives too often. Reasons for
constipation include:
F Diet. You may become constipated
if you don’t eat enough high-fiber
foods like vegetables, fruits, and
whole grains. Also, eating a lot of
high-fat meats, dairy products and
eggs, or rich desserts and sugary
sweets may cause constipation.
2 3
F
alone may lose
interest in
cooking
and eating.
As a result,
they start using
prepared foods.
These foods tend to be
low in fiber and may lead
F Holding back bowel movements.
to constipation. Also, people who
have problems with their teeth
tend to choose soft, processed
foods that contain little fiber.
Many older people don’t drink
enough water and other fluids. This
F Medical conditions. Some problems,
often is the case when they’re not
eating regular meals. Water and other
liquids may help people stay regular.
enemas. Many people think of
laxatives as a cure for constipation.
But if you use laxatives too often,
your body may forget how to work
on its own. Heavy use of laxatives
can cause diarrhea. For the same
reason, if you use enemas too often,
your body may begin to depend on
them. Too many enemas may stop
you from having normal bowel
movements.
long periods in bed due to illness
or following surgery may cause
constipation. Doctors can suggest
medicine for people who stay in
bed and suffer from chronic con-
stipation. Being more active, when
possible, is best.
Ignoring an urge to have a bowel
movement can lead to constipation.
Some people prefer to have bowel
movements at home. But holding
in a bowel movement can cause
constipation if the delay is too long.
like stroke, diabetes, or a blockage in
the intestines, can cause constipation.
These disorders may affect the
muscles or nerves used for normal
bowel movements. A doctor can
test to see if the problem is medical.
Medical problems can often be
treated. Another condition, called
irritable bowel syndrome (IBS),
can cause constipation. IBS is a
common disorder of the intestines
that results in pain, bloating, and
constipation or diarrhea.
4
 National Institute on Aging
AgePage
Concerned About
Constipation?
Nearly everyone becomes constipated
at one time or another. Older people
are more likely than younger people to
become constipated, but most of the
time it’s not serious.
Constipation is a symptom, not a
disease. You may be constipated if you
are having fewer bowel movements than
usual, it takes a long time to pass stools,
and the stools are hard.
Some people worry too much about
having a bowel movement every day.
There is no right number of daily or
weekly bowel movements. Being regular
is different for each
person. For some,
it can mean bowel
movements twice
a day. For others,
having movements
three times a week
is normal.
Questions to Ask
Some doctors suggest asking these
questions to decide if you are constipated:
F Do you often have fewer than three
bowel movements a week?
F Do you usually have a difficult time
passing stools?
F Are stools often lumpy or hard?
F Do you have a feeling of being
blocked or of not having fully
emptied your bowels?
Did you answer “yes” to one or more
of these questions? If so, you may have
a constipation problem. Otherwise, you
probably don’t.
What Causes Constipation?
F Using too many laxatives and
Doctors do not always know what
causes constipation. It may be a poor
diet, not getting enough exercise, or
using laxatives too often. Reasons for
constipation include:
F Diet. You may become constipated
if you don’t eat enough high-fiber
foods like vegetables, fruits, and
whole grains. Also, eating a lot of
high-fat meats, dairy products and
eggs, or rich desserts and sugary
sweets may cause constipation.
2 3
People who live
alone may lose
interest in
cooking
and eating.
As a result,
they start using
prepared foods.
These foods tend to be
low in fiber and may lead
F Holding back bowel movements.
to constipation. Also, people who
have problems with their teeth
tend to choose soft, processed
foods that contain little fiber.
Many older people don’t drink
enough water and other fluids. This
F Medical conditions. Some problems,
often is the case when they’re not
eating regular meals. Water and other
liquids may help people stay regular.
enemas. Many people think of
laxatives as a cure for constipation.
But if you use laxatives too often,
your body may forget how to work
on its own. Heavy use of laxatives
can cause diarrhea. For the same
reason, if you use enemas too often,
your body may begin to depend on
them. Too many enemas may stop
you from having normal bowel
movements.
F Lack of exercise. Inactivity or
long periods in bed due to illness
or following surgery may cause
constipation. Doctors can suggest
medicine for people who stay in
bed and suffer from chronic con-
stipation. Being more active, when
possible, is best.
Ignoring an urge to have a bowel
movement can lead to constipation.
Some people prefer to have bowel
movements at home. But holding
in a bowel movement can cause
constipation if the delay is too long.
like stroke, diabetes, or a blockage in
the intestines, can cause constipation.
These disorders may affect the
muscles or nerves used for normal
bowel movements. A doctor can
test to see if the problem is medical.
Medical problems can often be
treated. Another condition, called
irritable bowel syndrome (IBS),
can cause constipation. IBS is a
common disorder of the intestines
that results in pain, bloating, and
constipation or diarrhea.
4
F Medications. Some medicines can
lead to constipation. These include
some drugs used to treat depression,
antacids containing aluminum or
calcium, iron supplements, some
allergy medicines (antihistamines),
certain painkillers, some high blood
pressure drugs, including diuretics,
and some drugs used to treat
Parkinson’s disease.
Treatment
If you think you are constipated, talk to
your doctor to rule out a more serious
problem. If tests show no disease or
blockage, and if your doctor approves,
try these changes:
F Add fiber to your diet by eating
more fresh fruits and vegetables,
either cooked or raw, and more
whole-grain cereals and breads.
Dried fruits, such as apricots,
prunes, and figs, are high in fiber.
F If your diet does not include natural
fiber, you may need to add a small
amount of bran to baked goods,
cereal, and fruit. This may cause
some bloating and gas at first. Make
diet changes slowly to allow your
system to adapt. Look for fiber
products such as psyllium seed in
the grocery store.
5 6
F Be sure to get enough fluids. Without
fluids, constipation can get worse.
Drinking enough water and juice
can help you have regular bowel
movements. You should drink at least
three 12-oz glasses of water each day.
F Stay active. This is important for over-
all health too. Do things that keep
you moving and active. For example,
go for walks. Find physical things
that you enjoy doing, and make
them a part of your everyday life.
If these changes don’t work, talk to
your doctor about laxatives. There are
different kinds of laxatives, and each
has its pros and cons. Your doctor can
help you decide which laxatives may be
best for you.
When Should You See
a Doctor?
See your doctor or other health care
professional if:
F your bowel habits change
F there is blood in your stool
F you’re having serious stomach
pains
F you lose weight without trying
F fiber and exercise haven’t helped
For More Information Visit NIHSeniorHealth
(www.nihseniorhealth.gov), a senior-
Here are some helpful Federal friendly website from the National
resources. Institute on Aging and the National
National Digestive Diseases Library of Medicine. This website has
Information Clearinghouse health information for older adults.
2 Information Way Special features make it simple to use.
Bethesda, MD 20892-3570 For example, you can click on a button
800-891-5389 (toll-free) to have the text read out loud or to
www.niddk.nih.gov make the type larger.
National Library of Medicine
MedlinePlus
www.medlineplus.gov
For more information on health
and aging, contact:
National Institute on Aging
Information Center
P.O. Box 8057
Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8057
800-222-2225 (toll-free)
800-222-4225 (TTY/toll-free)
www.nia.nih.gov
www.nia.nih.gov/Espanol
To sign up for regular email alerts
about new publications and other
information from NIA, go to
www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation.
National Institutes of Health
U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services
October 2008
7 8
F Medications. Some medicines can
lead to constipation. These include
some drugs used to treat depression,
antacids containing aluminum or
calcium, iron supplements, some
allergy medicines (antihistamines),
certain painkillers, some high blood
pressure drugs, including diuretics,
and some drugs used to treat
Parkinson’s disease.
Treatment
If you think you are constipated, talk to
your doctor to rule out a more serious
problem. If tests show no disease or
blockage, and if your doctor approves,
try these changes:
F Add fiber to your diet by eating
more fresh fruits and vegetables,
either cooked or raw, and more
whole-grain cereals and breads.
Dried fruits, such as apricots,
prunes, and figs, are high in fiber.
F If your diet does not include natural
fiber, you may need to add a small
amount of bran to baked goods,
cereal, and fruit. This may cause
some bloating and gas at first. Make
diet changes slowly to allow your
system to adapt. Look for fiber
products such as psyllium seed in
the grocery store.
5 6
F Be sure to get enough fluids. Without
fluids, constipation can get worse.
Drinking enough water and juice
can help you have regular bowel
movements. You should drink at least
three 12-oz glasses of water each day.
F Stay active. This is important for over-
all health too. Do things that keep
you moving and active. For example,
go for walks. Find physical things
that you enjoy doing, and make
them a part of your everyday life.
If these changes don’t work, talk to
your doctor about laxatives. There are
different kinds of laxatives, and each
has its pros and cons. Your doctor can
help you decide which laxatives may be
best for you.
When Should You See
a Doctor?
See your doctor or other health care
professional if:
F your bowel habits change
F there is blood in your stool
F you’re having serious stomach
pains
F you lose weight without trying
F fiber and exercise haven’t helped
For More Information Visit NIHSeniorHealth
(www.nihseniorhealth.gov), a senior-
Here are some helpful Federal friendly website from the National
resources: Institute on Aging and the National
National Digestive Diseases Library of Medicine. This website has
Information Clearinghouse health information for older adults.
2 Information Way Special features make it simple to use.
Bethesda, MD 20892-3570 For example, you can click on a button
800-891-5389 (toll-free) to have the text read out loud or to
www.niddk.nih.gov make the type larger.
National Library of Medicine
MedlinePlus
www.medlineplus.gov
For more information on health
and aging, contact:
National Institute on Aging
Information Center
P.O. Box 8057
Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8057
800-222-2225 (toll-free)
800-222-4225 (TTY/toll-free)
www.nia.nih.gov
www.nia.nih.gov/Espanol
To sign up for regular email alerts
about new publications and other
information from NIA, go to
www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation.
National Institutes of Health
U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services
October 2008
7 8